Rekt Sea Area:
After a ship loaded with celestial tribute left the Rekt Kingdom, it began sailing along a specific route.
Ever since the celestial tribute was stolen by Rocks last time, the route for the celestial tribute became much more complicated and secretive.
Perhaps because the complexity and secrecy of the route were enhanced, the World Government's celestial tribute has not been robbed since then.
The World Conference hasn't started recently, so the celestial tribute shouldn't be due for payment so soon, but the Rekt Kingdom is a newly joined Allied Nation, so the World Government is making the Rekt Kingdom pay the celestial tribute in advance.
After all, the World Government is currently in urgent need of funds, so the sooner they get the money, the better, which is why this ship transporting the celestial tribute in advance is here now.
"Fufufufufu, this is indeed the celestial tribute!"
"Birdcage!!!"
Doflamingo, who had woven his strings into the clouds using the cloud cover, watched the ship sailing below, and a large number of white thin strings flew out from his body, forming a cage-like shape that enveloped the ship below inside the Birdcage.
"This is bad, enemy attack!!"
"Quickly notify superiors!"
After the World Government members saw the Birdcage appear, they immediately started calling their superiors using the den den mushi.
"The den den mushi can't make calls, the signal is blocked!"
However, when they tried to dial the den den mushi, they found that the den den mushi was asleep and couldn't be woken up no matter what.
"The opponent is the North Blue Pirate Doflamingo!"
The World Government members guarding the celestial tribute watched Doflamingo flying towards them with solemn expressions.
"Fufufufufu, leave the celestial tribute for me!"
"Five-Colored String!!"
After the Birdcage was set up, as Doflamingo swooped down, he clenched his five fingers forcefully, and ten five-colored thin strings pierced through the bodies of the World Government members, easily dealing with these World Government members completely.
"Fufufufufu, I have the bargaining chip, now it's time for negotiations!"
Doflamingo laughed heartily as he sailed the celestial tribute ship away to hide it.
"What did you say? A celestial tribute ship was hijacked, and you don't even know who hijacked it?"
The hijacking of the celestial tribute was quickly discovered by the official specifically in charge of the celestial tribute, because those protecting the celestial tribute would report their progress every half an hour, and if there was no reply past the deadline, it meant something had happened!
World Government members quickly investigated the missing celestial tribute, but found nothing, and could only report it to the Gorosei in the end.
Holy Land Mary Geoise:
"The celestial tribute being hijacked is likely premeditated, so other celestial tribute currently being transported should change their routes, and the collection of celestial tribute should be suspended until this matter is thoroughly investigated before continuing!"
Finance War God Nasujuro Saint said.
This year's celestial tribute is very important to the World Government; it is the key to the World Government's recovery, so they cannot be too careful.
"Agreed!"
"However, could the disappearance of the celestial tribute this time be related to those Pirates in the New World? They have hijacked our celestial tribute before!"
Scientific Defense Warrior God Saturn Saint said.
"Have CP confirm the whereabouts of those Pirate Crew. If it really is them, then it will be troublesome!"
Peter Saint, God of Agriculture said.
"Buruburu!!"
However, just as the Gorosei were discussing countermeasures, their exclusive den den mushi rang.
"Moshi moshi, I am Peter Saint of the Gorosei."
Peter Saint, God of Agriculture was closest to the den den mushi and answered it casually.
"Fufufufufu, esteemed Peter Saint of the Gorosei, I am Donquixote Doflamingo, and I know the whereabouts of the celestial tribute you lost."
Doflamingo's classic laugh came from the other end of the den den mushi.
"Donquixote? You are now a Pirate. Since you know the whereabouts of the celestial tribute, does that mean you stole it?"
Peter Saint, God of Agriculture asked with certainty.
"Fufufufufu, as expected of the Gorosei, you guessed it right away. I can return this celestial tribute to you."
Doflamingo laughed.
"You, a Pirate, stole our celestial tribute, and now you want to return it? Do you think the celestial tribute can be stolen and returned as you please?"
"You should know that if we want to capture you, we can absolutely do it. As long as we catch you, are we afraid of not getting the celestial tribute?"
Peter Saint, God of Agriculture's tone revealed anger; they were actually being threatened by a Pirate!
"Fufufufufu, the World Government is currently in an unprecedented period of weakness. Do you still have the extra power to capture me? If you push me too hard, I'll go straight to the New World and take the celestial tribute with me. Can you still catch me then?"
"Furthermore, you wouldn't want to lose more celestial tribute, right!"
Facing the threat from the Gorosei, Doflamingo was fearless. Before taking action, he had already considered this outcome and also had a hint of confidence that he wasn't afraid of the World Government.
Peter Saint, God of Agriculture heard Doflamingo's words and fell silent for a moment, then looked at his four colleagues around him.
Just as Doflamingo said, the World Government truly didn't have the extra power to use on Doflamingo. The key was that Doflamingo's identity was special, and they couldn't actually kill him.
"What do you want?"
In the end, Peter Saint, God of Agriculture chose to hear Doflamingo's terms.
"Just reserve a position among the Seven Warlords of the Sea for me. As long as you agree, I will return the celestial tribute to you right now and won't set my sights on any other celestial tribute."
After hearing the Gorosei soften their stance, Doflamingo immediately presented his conditions.
"I can agree to that, but you must tell us where you got the celestial tribute transport route from!"
Peter Saint, God of Agriculture agreed directly. In any case, the Shichibukai were not full, so giving Doflamingo a position didn't matter.
What he valued more was the source of intelligence behind Doflamingo. He didn't believe Doflamingo just happened to encounter the celestial tribute transport ship by luck.
"Fufufufufu, I don't know the background of the other party. I just bought the information in the underground world for 100 million Berries."
Doflamingo didn't want to reveal the source of the information because when he bought the information, he had already promised the people from the Quicksand Guild not to reveal the source.
The Quicksand Guild is now growing larger and larger, spread across the Four Seas and the Grand Line. Doflamingo is a smart man and could see at a glance that there must be a powerful force supporting the Quicksand Guild behind the scenes, otherwise it couldn't have developed so rapidly.
Compared to the World Government, he was even less willing to provoke a behemoth like the Quicksand Guild.
Because when facing the World Government, he still had his special identity as a safeguard; the World Government didn't dare to kill him.
But when facing the Quicksand Guild, he didn't have enough strength to protect himself. If the Quicksand Guild were to pursue him, with their scale spread across the Four Seas, it would be even easier to find him than the Marine.
"You are limited to returning the celestial tribute within one day!"
Peter Saint, God of Agriculture was very dissatisfied with Doflamingo's answer but also knew that forcing him wouldn't work. After speaking, he directly hung up the den den mushi.
"Investigate all members responsible for the celestial tribute, replace some important positions, and ensure the secrecy of the celestial tribute route!"
Finance War God Nasujuro Saint said.